TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) has issued 25 Notices of Violation to housing providers across 11 counties for allegedly violating the state’s Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA), the Office of the Attorney General announced Monday. The violations involve discriminatory practices that unlawfully restrict housing opportunities based on applicants’ criminal histories.
The FCHA, which went into effect in 2022, limits housing providers’ ability to inquire about an applicant’s criminal history before extending an offer. According to the Attorney General’s Office, violations included asking prohibited criminal history-related questions on housing applications and posting advertisements barring applicants with criminal records.
“In New Jersey, a history with the criminal legal system cannot automatically bar you from having fair access to housing,” Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement. He noted that stable housing is critical for individuals returning to their communities after encountering the criminal justice system.
The notices were issued to housing providers in 15 municipalities, including in Atlantic, Bergen, and Camden counties. In one case, a complex in Edgewater Park required background checks and stated applicants could be rejected for various criminal convictions, a practice prohibited by the FCHA.
Since the law’s enactment, the DCR has initiated more than 200 enforcement actions related to FCHA violations. Housing providers found in violation face penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the offense.
